Arsenal can still win the Premier League despite losing talismanic forward Gabriel Jesus to injury, according to former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson.
Mikel Arteta's men sit top of the table after 14 games played, boasting a five-point advantage over nearest challengers and Jesus' former side Manchester City. Having tasted league defeat just once this season at the hands of Manchester United, hopes are high that the Gunners can end their 19-year wait for a league title.
At least, they were until Jesus was forced to undergo knee surgery after an injury thought to have been sustained while on international duty with Brazil at the World Cup. It means Arsenal will be without their £45million transformative signing for around three months.
Arteta was recently pressed for comment on just how long Jesus could be sidelined for, but kept his cards close to his chest as he told the media: "Obviously, we know that he needed some intervention in the knee and we will have to take (it) day-by-day, week-by-week and see where it takes us."
While the goals have dried up for Jesus since October, his impact on the way the Gunners attack cannot be overstated. The Brazilian makes things tick for Arsenal moving forward and helps brings the best out Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli either side of him.
It is undeniable that Jesus' injury will damage Arsenal's title prospects, but ex-Three Lions boss Eriksson feels it is not fatal to their hopes and insists the Gunners still have a realistic chance of domestic glory.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Can Arsenal still win the Premier League without Jesus? Comment below.
"Gabriel Jesus’ injury is very bad news for Arsenal, but I still think they can win the Premier League," he told OLBG.
"I have not seen much of Eddie Nketiah but I have watched Arsenal a few times and I think Mikel Arteta is doing a fantastic job. It will be hard to beat Manchester City because they don’t lose many games, but Arsenal can do it."
As mentioned by the Swede, Nketiah will have to step up and justify the lucrative contract he was rewarded with in the summer. The England Under-21 international has not made much of an impact since penning the new deal and donning the Gunners' iconic No.14 shirt.
His recent comments will make for welcome reading from an Arsenal supporter's perspective, with Nketiah exuding confidence that he can fill the void Jesus leaves.
"I have been working hard, I’ve been working hard all season and I’m sure, when I get the opportunity, I’ll be able to come in and help the team," Nketiah declared.
Arsenal's first league test without Jesus comes in the form of a home clash with West Ham on Boxing Day.
